Fundamentals of Surveying Examination Application Instructions

Examinations are given each April and October. The application deadlines are January 1 for the April exam and July 1 for the October exam if applying under Sections 4 through 6 on page one of the application. If applying under Section 1 through 3, your deadlines are February 01 and August 01, respectively.

The test site will be Lexington KY unless you are a current University of Louisville student; in which case you may choose Lexington or Louisville.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the exam is outlined under Sections 1 through 6 on page one of the application. If applying under Sections 1 through 3, you are eligible as follows:

• Section 1 - completion of 105 semester credit hours in the program.
• Section 2 - completion of the 24 semester credit hour surveying core curriculum, or completion of 105 semester credit hours plus completion of at least 12 semester credit hours of the surveying core curriculum.
• Section 3 - completion of 105 semester credit hours in the program plus completion of 12 hours of the surveying core curriculum, or graduation from the program.
  

Please review 201 KAR 18:092 regarding the surveying core curriculum.

Transcript

If applying under Section 1 through 5, have your college or university mail a transcript directly to the Board. If applying under section 6, provide a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent.

If applying under Section 1 through 3, you are not required to complete Section III "Endorsers" of the application. If applying under Section 4 through 6, complete the entire application including the Report of Professional Experience (RPE) (PDF - 780KB).

• Account for all time since age eighteen (18), even if it is not land surveying experience.
• For non-surveying experience, complete only columns one and three.
• For surveying experience, complete all columns.
• Total the time claimed in column four.
• Complete a Report of Professional Experience (RPE) (PDF - 780KB) for each land surveying experience claimed. The endorser number (left hand side of table) must be written in the upper right hand corner of the corresponding RPE. The applicant is to complete Sections 1 and 3 and mail to the endorser to complete Section 2. Do not return with your application.

KRS 322.045 requires that experience be progressive and under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing land surveyor. Progressive means experience has been in several advancing areas. An example would be progression from rodman or instrument operator to party chief or technician. Several years in the same position performing the same functions is not considered progressive experience. Experience in the various elements of boundary surveying (deed and records research, computations, drafting, and field work) and areas such as deed plotting, field note reduction, calculations for traverse closure, and platting of the survey should be reflected in the applicant's work descriptions. Please review 201 KAR 18:072 Section 2 for further information regarding experience.

Sign and date page 3. No fees are required with the application. If approved to sit for the exam, you will receive a letter instructing you to log onto the ELSES website at els-examreg.org  to register for the exam and pay your nonrefundable exam fee. Do not register on this website until you have received an approval letter from the board office. Approximately two weeks prior to the exam, ELSES will mail admittance packets to those who have completed the registration process.

For those retaking the exam, you do not have to complete a new application. You simply log on to els-examreg.org  and register for the exam.

Retake Limitation

After July 2006, an applicant who fails the same exam three times, regardless of the jurisdiction where the exam is administered, must reapply by completing the application in full and include evidence satisfactory to the board of gaining additional knowledge. Such evidence may include, but is not limited to review courses, college courses, and continuing education courses. You may not register on the ELSES website until you have receive an approval letter from the board office.